Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today said that he has no objection to the decision of the Meghalaya government to set up seven police border outposts near the inter-state border.
Sarma said this during his meeting with a BJP delegation from Meghalaya led by State party president Ernest Mawrie, party MLAs Sanbor Shullai and Alexander L. Hek among others.
“Sarma has stated that the Meghalaya government can setup the border outposts within the jurisdiction of Meghalaya,” Mawrie said after the meeting.
It may be mentioned that the Meghalaya cabinet has yesterday approved the setting up of seven police border outposts at Muriap (East Jaiñtia Hills), Mukroh and Tiwieh (West Jaiñtia Hills), Rani-Jirang (Ri-Bhoi), Umwali, Lejadubi and Langpih (West Khasi Hills).
The Assam chief minister also assured the Meghalaya BJP leaders that an order will be issued today to ensure that Assam police should not enter the territory of Meghalaya and that a cordial relationship between Assam and Meghalaya police has to be there.
On the demand by Mukroh villagers for removal of the Assam forest office from the village, Mawrie informed that the Assam chief minister is keen to look into the matter and will give the necessary order to remove the office.
Mawrie informed that soon after the Mukroh police firing on November 22 which claimed six lives including five villagers from Mukroh, Sarma has taken action by transferring the Superintendent of Police of West Karbi Anglong and also suspended the Officer in Charge of Jrikyndeng police station and forest officers of the area.
“The meeting was very fruitful and the issue was discussed at length. The Assam chief minister has informed us that he will stand with Meghalaya,” Mawrie said.
BJP MLA Sanbor Shullai also mentioned that as desired by Mukroh village headman and local residents, the party’s delegation has suggested that henceforth the Assam police should not enter inside Meghalaya to conduct any illegal raid or arrest.
“If there is any complaint they should bring it to the notice of Meghalaya police. If any raid is required they have to do it jointly and cannot illegally enter Meghalaya,” Shullai said.
Another BJP MLA Alexander L. Hek stated that the Assam chief minister has taken full responsibility and has strongly condemned the incident.
“If it was a case of police firing at an armed police it is understandable but in this case, the officials fired at civilians to which the chief minister found unacceptable,” Heh said.
The BJP leaders also informed that Sarma along with the Meghalaya BJP leaders will soon visit Mukroh to meet the families of the victims and provide financial assistance to them.
